Leeds striker Robbie Fowler was forced into another bit-part role, but even his heralded arrival failed to break down a resilient 10-man West Brom who remain rooted at the foot of the Premiership.

Fowler's 79th-minute introduction drew one of the loudest cheers from the Leeds fans on an otherwise unimpressive afternoon at Elland Road.

The 27-year-old striker's decision in turning down a £7million move to Manchester City clearly curried favour with the United supporters who Fowler claims have yet to see the best of him.

But in his 11-minute cameo Fowler, whose campaign has so far been subdued by a hip injury which required summer surgery following his return from the World Cup, was left frustrated.

Fowler, unfortunately, barely had a touch of the ball at a time when Venables chose to go for broke in the dying stages with the Baggies reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Andy Johnson 16 minutes from time.

But despite Fowler, Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Alan Smith and James Milner all on the pitch for the closing 11 minutes, Leeds failed to find a way through a tight-knit Albion defence as the visitors claimed only their second point from their last nine away matches.

Leeds started this season with victories over Manchester City and West Brom to lead the Premiership with a maximum haul of six points, scoring six goals in the process.

But the return fixtures have now yielded just one point and one goal to underline how fallible Leeds have become for they headed into the games on a confidence-boosting run of four wins and a draw to lift them clear of the relegation zone.

They at least started with drive and purpose in the opening 10 minutes and should have been on the scoresheet as West Brom looked ragged in the early exchanges.

Skipper Dominic Matteo, restored at centre half alongside Lucas Radebe making his first appearance for two months with Jonathan Woodgate sidelined for six weeks with a thigh tear, was perhaps surprised to be given the opening chance in the second minute.

Matteo was left unmarked at the far post as he met a Gary Kelly free-kick from wide on the right, but his sidefoot cross-shot flashed through the six-yard box much to his frustration.

With Leeds pressing, their next opportunity three minutes later arrived with good fortune as an attempted clearance struck the back of referee Uriah Rennie's legs.

The ball rebounded into the path of Eirik Bakke, in the news this week after being charged with drink driving, but, with only Hoult to beat, the Norwegian could only slice his first-time left-foot shot wide.

Albion were being forced to defend in numbers, but were carved open soon after with Harry Kewell teeing up a drive for fellow Australian Mark Viduka only for Hoult to produce the first of his fine first-half saves.

After weathering the early storm, Albion worked their way into the game, and in the 15th minute came within a whisker of rocking Leeds on their heels.

Neil Clement's long-range free-kick struck Darren Moore, albeit with the rebound falling to Scott Dobie for a first-time right-foot shot from 15 yards which narrowly flashed past the post of Paul Robinson, who has recently been the victim of an attempted blackmail leading to a man from the West Midlands being charged.

Hoult then came into his own twice more before the interval, firstly tipping round the post a low curler from the edge of the area from Viduka after he had again been set up by Kewell.

The 30-year-then excelled himself just after the half hour for after Alan Smith had trapped a through ball, cut inside and unleashed a fierce, dipping left-foot shot from 22 yards, Hoult acrobatically clawed it away to his left.

Megson, who had made four changes to the team beaten 3-1 by Manchester United at The Hawthorns last Saturday, was forced into another in the 35th minute with a limping Igor Balis replaced at right wing-back by Ronnie Wallwork.

The former Old Trafford player almost made an immediate impact for after skipping past Teddy Lucic's challenge, he delivered a low, piercing ball into the heart of the area.

An arriving Daniele Dichio, though, failed to attack it, while a sliding Dobie at the far post just steered the ball wide while under pressure from Radebe.

Following the interval, Leeds' old problem of being unable to break down a side who had come to defend was evident yet again for they failed to test Hoult at any stage, which was in stark contrast to his busy opening 45 minutes.

Even after Johnson's dismissal, his first yellow for a foul on Viduka and his second for protesting too long and loud for a genuine handball penalty claim against Radebe, it was Robinson who saved Leeds from embarrassment late on with a stunning tip-over save from Wallwork.

Teams:

Leeds: Robinson, Kelly, Radebe, Matteo, Lucic, Smith, Bakke (Seth Johnson 70), Okon (Fowler 79), Wilcox (Milner 69), Viduka, Kewell.

Subs Not Used: Martyn, Mills.

Booked: Smith.

West Brom: Hoult, Moore, Gilchrist, Gregan, Balis (Wallwork 35), McInnes, Koumas (Sigurdsson 77), Johnson, Clement, Dichio, Dobie (Hughes 63).

Subs Not Used: Murphy, Udeze.

Sent Off: Johnson (74).

Booked: Johnson.

Att: 39,708

Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).